Image processing apparatus, control method and storage medium storing program

ABSTRACT

This invention provides an image processing apparatus which can be connected to an information processing apparatus via a communication unit and a control method for the apparatus. The apparatus registers identification information of the information processing apparatus in association with authentication information for authenticating a user. The apparatus acquires, upon reception of a job from the information processing apparatus via the communication unit, the identification information of the information processing apparatus which has transmitted the job and determines whether or not the acquired identification information is registered. The apparatus authenticates the user by using the authentication information registered in association with the identification information when determining that the identification information is registered. The apparatus executes the job when the authentication succeeds.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus connectedto a plurality of information processing apparatuses via a network, acontrol method, and a storage medium storing the program.

2. Description of the Related Art

Recently, an increasing number of image processing apparatuses (forexample, multi-function peripherals (MFPs)) in a log-in state use a pullscan function using a host PC and a driver, a pseudo push scan function,and a print function. The pseudo push scan function issues a request to“make the MFP execute pull scan” from the MFP to the “host PC” in whicha pull scan driver is installed. With this function, the host PC makesthe MFP execute scanning. Upon receiving a scanned image from the MFP inthis manner, the host PC processes the image based on an imageprocessing method designated at the time of pull scan, and stores theresultant data in a predetermined storage destination (Japanese PatentLaid-Open No. 2006-303805).

In such a case, however, when making the MFP perform pseudo push scan orpull scan upon user authentication, the user needs to set a document onthe MFP upon performing “log-in” operation. This is a cumbersomeoperation, leading to poor usability. In addition, when performing pullscan, the user performs operation for changing the operation mode of theMFP to the remote scan mode, and then makes the PC execute pull scan.This leads to poor user-friendliness.

In order to avoid this, an MFP may be set to allow the execution of ajob even if user information is unknown. In this case, however, it isimpossible to update count information for each user or impose jobrestrictions on each user, leading to inconvenience.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An aspect of the present invention is to eliminate the above-mentionedproblems with conventional technology.

The present invention provides an image processing apparatus which canexecute a job from an information processing apparatus, upon receivingthe job, by logging in to an image forming apparatus based on userinformation registered in association with the information processingapparatus, a control method and a storage medium storing the program.

The present invention in its first aspect provides an image processingapparatus capable of connecting to an information processing apparatusvia a communication unit, the apparatus comprising: a registration unitconfigured to register identification information of the informationprocessing apparatus in association with authentication information forauthenticating a user; a determination unit configured to acquire, uponreception of a job from the information processing apparatus via thecommunication unit, the identification information of the informationprocessing apparatus which has transmitted the job, and determinewhether or not the acquired identification information is registered inthe registration unit; an authentication unit configured to authenticatethe user by using the authentication information registered inassociation with the identification information when the determinationunit determines that the identification information is registered; and ajob execution unit configured to execute the job when the authenticationunit has succeeded authentication.

The present invention in its second aspect provides a control method ofcontrolling an image processing apparatus capable of connecting to aninformation processing apparatus via a communication unit, the methodcomprising: a registration step of registering identificationinformation of the information processing apparatus in association withauthentication information for authenticating a user; a determinationstep of acquiring, upon reception of a job from the informationprocessing apparatus via the communication unit, the identificationinformation of the information processing apparatus which hastransmitted the job and determining whether or not the acquiredidentification information is registered in the registration step; anauthentication step of authenticating the user by using theauthentication information registered in association with theidentification information when it is determined in the determinationstep that the identification information is registered; and a jobexecution step of executing the job when the authentication step hassucceeded authentication in the authentication step.

The present invention in its third aspect provides a computer-readablestorage medium storing a program for causing a computer to execute aregistration step of registering identification information of theinformation processing apparatus in association with authenticationinformation for authenticating a user, a determination step ofacquiring, upon reception of a job from the information processingapparatus via a communication unit, the identification information ofthe information processing apparatus which has transmitted the job anddetermining whether or not the acquired identification information isregistered in the registration step, an authentication step ofauthenticating the user by using the authentication informationregistered in association with the identification information when it isdetermined in the determination step determines that the identificationinformation is registered, and a job execution step of executing the jobwhen the authentication has succeeded in the authentication step.

The present invention has an effect capable of executing a job from aninformation processing apparatus, upon receiving the job, by logging into an image forming apparatus based on user information registered inassociation with the information processing apparatus.

Further features of the present invention will become apparent from thefollowing description of exemplary embodiments with reference to theattached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the arrangement of a multi-functionperipheral (MFP) according to this embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the functional arrangement of themulti-function peripheral according to this embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a view for explaining a functional arrangement for automaticlog-in processing;

FIG. 4 is a view showing an example of log-in management informationaccording to this embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a view for explaining examples of log-in and log-out windowsin the multi-function peripheral according to this embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a view for explaining window transition when a log-inmanagement information registration unit according to the embodimentregisters log-in management information;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a procedure for destination PCregistration processing in the multi-function peripheral according tothis embodiment; and

FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining a job execution processingprocedure for automatic log-in/log-out processing in the multi-functionperipheral according to this embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be describedhereinafter in detail, with reference to the accompanying drawings. Itis to be understood that the following embodiments are not intended tolimit the claims of the present invention, and that not all of thecombinations of the aspects that are described according to thefollowing embodiments are necessarily required with respect to the meansto solve the problems according to the present invention. The samereference numerals denote the same constituent elements, and adescription of them will be omitted.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the arrangement of an image processingapparatus (for example, MFP: multi-function peripheral) 101 according tothis embodiment. The multi-function peripheral 101 is an example of animage forming apparatus, which can be connected to a PC via a network.This embodiment will be described below with reference to themulti-function peripheral 101.

The multi-function peripheral 101 includes a scanner function of readinga document and generating the image data of the document, a copyfunction of printing the read document image data, and a print functionof printing based on print data from a PC or the like connected via anetwork.

A reader unit 13 optically reads a document image and converts it intoimage data. The reader unit 13 includes a scanner unit 11 having afunction of reading a document and a document feed unit 12 having afunction of conveying a document. A printer unit (image output unit) 45conveys a printing sheet, prints a visible image on the sheet based onimage data, and discharges it outside the apparatus. The printer unit 45includes a sheet feed unit 43 having a plurality of types of printingsheet cassettes, a marking unit 41 having a function of transferring andfixing image data onto a printing sheet, and a sheet discharge unit 42which sorts printed printing sheets, staples them, and discharges themoutside the apparatus. A control unit 102 is electrically connected tothe reader unit 13 and the printer unit 45 and is connected to aninformation processing apparatus (for example, a host PC to be referredto as a PC hereinafter) 103 via a network (for example, a LAN) 105.

The control unit 102 provides a copy function of controlling the readerunit 13 to read the image data of a document and controlling the printerunit 45 to print the image data on a sheet. The control unit 102 alsoprovides a function of transmitting the image data input from the readerunit 13 to other information devices such as the PC 103 via the network105. An operation unit 200 is connected to the control unit 102,includes a display unit 135 and a hardware key (to be described later),and provides a user interface for the operation of the multi-functionperipheral 101.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing the functional arrangementof the multi-function peripheral 101 according to this embodiment.

A reader unit 13 is connected to a scanner interface (to be referred toas a scanner I/F unit hereinafter) 10. The scanner I/F unit 10 cancapture read data from a CCD or CIS via the analog front end (AFE) ofthe reader unit 13. The scanner I/F unit 10 can input an output from adocument sensor from the document feed unit 12 of the reader unit 13 tothe multi-function peripheral 101. Data processing by the scanner I/Funit 10 will be described in detail later.

A scanner image processing unit 20 executes image processingcorresponding to an image processing mode (a color copy mode, monochromecopy mode, color scan mode, monochrome scan mode, or the like) for theimage data expanded in a main memory 100 via the scanner I/F unit 10.The scanner image processing unit 20 will be described in detail later.When exchanging data between the scanner I/F unit 10 and the scannerimage processing unit 20 via a ring buffer area in the main memory 100,a buffer arbitration unit 77 arbitrates data write and read operations.

A printer image processing unit 30 performs region editing, resolutionconversion, and the like for an input image and outputs the obtainedimage data to the printer unit 45. A printer interface 40 outputsprocessed image data to the printer unit 45 to which it is connected. Abuffer arbitration unit 78 arbitrates data write and read operationswhen exchanging data between the printer image processing unit 30 andthe printer I/F 40 via the ring buffer area in the main memory 100. JPEGand JBIG modules 50 and 60 execute compression and decompressionprocessing of image data complying with predetermined standards.

A memory control unit 70 is connected to first and second buses 83 and84 of an image processing system and a third bus 85 of a computer systemand performs data transfer control for data write and read operationswith respect to the main memory (SDRAM) 100.

A DMA controller (DMAC) 90 is connected to an EPROM 95 via a ROMISA 97in cooperation with the memory control unit 70. The DMAC 90 generatesand sets predetermined address information for DMA control with respectto data exchange between external devices, various types of interfaceunits 170, and the main memory 100 in cooperation with a memory controlunit 70. An image processing DMA controller (DMAC) 91 generates and setspredetermined address information for DMA control with respect to dataexchange between the image processing units 20 and 30 and the mainmemory 100 in cooperation with the memory control unit 70. For example,the DMAC 91 generates address information for DMA transfer of the imagedata read and processed by the scanner I/F unit 10 to the main memory100 for each DMA channel in accordance with the type of image readingdevice. Alternatively, the DMAC 91 generates address information forreading out image data expanded in the main memory 100 for each DMAchannel. In this manner, the DMAC 91 functions as a unit which performsDMA control, together with the memory control unit 70, between the mainmemory 100 and the image processing units 20 and 30, for example, DMAtransfer to the scanner image processing unit 20.

The EPROM 95 stores control parameters and control program data suitablefor the image reading device (CCD or CIS) of the reader unit 13. In thismanner, it is possible to set various kinds of control parameters inaccordance with image reading devices, and hence it is possible toperform input processing of image data corresponding to data outputformats unique to a CCD and CIS. This eliminates the necessity toprovide dedicated interface circuits. A modem 93 performs conversionbetween digital data and audio data.

The first bus 83 sends the data read out from the main memory 100 to therespective processing units 10 to 60 of the image processing system. Thesecond bus 84 sends the data read out from the respective processingunits 10 to 60 of the image processing system to the main memory 100.The first and second buses 83 and 84 are paired to exchange image databetween the image processing blocks and the main memory 100. The thirdbus 85 is a bus of the computer system, to which a CPU 180, thecommunication and user interface control units 170, a mechatronicssystem control unit 125, a control register, and the DMAC 90 areconnected. The mechatronics system control unit 125 includes a motorcontrol unit 110 and an interruption timer control unit 120 forcontrolling the driving timing of the motor and synchronization ofprocessing in the image processing system. An LCD control unit (LCDC)130 performs display control to display various settings, processingstatuses, and the like on the display unit 135 of the operation unit200. The LCDC 130 also has a function of transferring the informationinput by the user via an operation unit 300 to the CPU 180. An HDD 181has an OS installed, together with programs executed by the CPU 180. Atthe time of execution of a program, the control program is expanded inthe main memory 100 and executed under the control of the CPU 180.

USB interface units 140 and 150 allow connection of peripheral devices.FIG. 2 shows a state in which an inkjet printer 175 is connected to theUSB interface unit 150. A network interface unit 160 controls the timing(access) of sending out data to a connected device. This unit is alsoused when communicating with another device (PC 103 or the like) via theLAN 105. The CPU 180 controls the overall operation of themulti-function peripheral 101.

The scanner I/F unit 10 is compatible as an image reading device with aCCD and CIS, and performs input processing of signals from both theimage reading devices. In this case, the memory control unit 70 expandsthe input image data in the main memory 100 upon DMA transfer.

The scanner image processing unit 20 has various kinds of imageconversion functions each of which is used to convert an image in themain memory 100 and write back data in the main memory 100. The scannerimage processing unit 20 has a variable magnification function ofconverting the resolution of an image (for example, from 600 dpi to 200dpi) and changing magnification (for example, from 25% to 400%). Beforechanging the magnification, the scanner image processing unit 20rearranges a 32×32 pixel image into a 32-line unit image. The scannerimage processing unit 20 has a color space conversion function ofconverting a multivalued input image, for example, a YUV image in thememory, into a Lab image by matrix computation and a lookup table (LUT)and storing the resultant image in the memory. In addition, this colorspace conversion function is configured to perform 3×8 matrixcomputation and have a one-dimensional LUT, and can perform knownundercolor removal processing and obtain an anti-offset effect. Aconverted image is output as a multivalued image. The scanner imageprocessing unit 20 has a binary/multivalued conversion function ofconverting a 1-bit binary image into a multivalued 8-bit, 256-toneimage. In contrast to this, the scanner image processing unit 20 has abinary/multivalued conversion function of converting an 8-bit, 256-toneimage in the memory into a 1-bit, 2-tone image by error diffusionprocessing or the like. The scanner image processing unit 20 has athinning-out function capable of outputting ½, ¼, and ⅛ multivaluedimages by resolution conversion by thinning-out pixels from amultivalued image. It is possible to perform enlargement and reductionin wider ranges using this function in combination with the variablemagnification function. The scanner image processing unit 20 can add ordelete marginal portions to or from an input binary image or multivaluedimage and output the resultant image. The variable magnificationfunction, color space conversion function, binary/multivalued conversionfunction, thinning-out function, and multivalued binary conversionfunction can operate in cooperation with each other.

FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram for explaining automatic log-inprocessing in the multi-function peripheral 101 according to thisembodiment.

The CPU 180 causes an automatic log-in/log-out unit 300 to automaticallylog-in or log-out by using a display control unit 310, a log-in/log-outunit 320, a log-in management information registration unit 330, and adestination PC name/log-in name conversion unit 340, which will bedescribed in detail later. The CPU 180 causes a log-in managementinformation update unit 360 to count the number of scans (the number oftimes of scanning) by a log-in user and the number of copies (the numberof times of printing) on a page basis during the execution of jobs. TheCPU 180 causes a job execution unit 350 to execute a job for which anexecution request has been received via the USB interface unit 140 orthe network interface unit 160 if it is possible to log in by using theautomatic log-in/log-out unit 300. During the execution of a job, thelog-in management information update unit 360 updates count information.In addition, when executing a job beyond the limit of the number ofscans or the limit of the number of copies, the CPU 180 stops the job.Upon executing the job, the CPU 180 logs out by using the automaticlog-in/log-out unit 300. If the CPU 180 cannot log in by using theautomatic log-in/log-out unit 300, the CPU 180 does not execute any job.

The CPU 180 causes the display control unit 310 to perform displaycontrol on the display unit 135 of the operation unit 200 by using theLCDC 130. The CPU 180 causes the log-in/log-out unit 320 to set a log-instate which allows the use of the multi-function peripheral 101 uponauthentication of log-in information input or transferred from the userto the multi-function peripheral 101. If the CPU 180 cannot authenticatea log-out state, that is, log-in information, it is possible to set astate in which the user cannot use the multi-function peripheral 101. Aswill be described later, the log-in management information registrationunit 330 registers log-in management information. The CPU 180 causes thedestination PC name/log-in name conversion unit 340 to acquire adestination PC name corresponding to a job for which the multi-functionperipheral 101 has received an execution request and to search for a PCname matching a destination PC name in the log-in management informationin FIG. 4. Upon finding a matched PC name, the destination PCname/log-in name conversion unit 340 acquires the corresponding log-inname and password. These pieces of information are an example ofauthentication information.

FIG. 5 is a view for explaining examples of log-in and log-out windowsin the multi-function peripheral 101.

Window 500 denotes an example of a window in a log-out state; and 510,an example of a window in a log-in state. When the user presses a log-inbutton 501 on the window 500 in the log-out state upon inputting alog-in name and a password, the user is authenticated. When theauthentication succeeds, the user logs in. When the user presses alog-out button 502 on the window 510 in the log-in state, the user logsout.

FIG. 4 is a view showing an example of log-in management information.

This log-in management information is stored in the EPROM 95 andreferred to by the CPU 180. The log-in management information has, asitems, a log-in name 410, a password 420, a scan count 430, a scan countlimit 440, a copy count 450, a copy count limit 460, and a destinationPC name 470. A set of these items is stored for each log-in managementto be performed.

The CPU 180 refers to the log-in name 410 and the password 420 toperform authentication with respect to log-in information for a jobwhich is input or entered by the user to the multi-function peripheral101. If they match each other, the CPU 180 sets a log-in state in whichthe user can use the multi-function peripheral 101.

The EPROM 95 stores, as the scan count 430, the number of pages on whichthe log-in user has executed scanning. The CPU 180 counts up the scancount 430 every time one page is scanned. The scan count limit 440indicates the scan count limit set for the log-in user. The CPU 180inhibits the user from executing scanning beyond the limit value. TheEPROM 95 stores, as the copy count 450, the number of pages on which thelog-in user has executed printing. The CPU 180 counts up the copy count450 every time printing is performed on one page. The EPROM 95 stores,as the copy count limit 460, a copy count limit for the log-in user. TheCPU 180 inhibits the user from executing printing beyond the limitvalue. The CPU 180 causes the log-in management information registrationunit 330 (to be described later) to store the destination PC name 470 inassociation with a log-in name and a password.

The log-in management information registration unit 330 performsregistration in accordance with a window procedure like that shown inFIG. 6.

FIG. 6 is a view for explaining window transition when the log-inmanagement information registration unit 330 according to the embodimentregisters log-in management information.

Referring to FIG. 6, Window 600 denotes a registration window for log-inmanagement information. Upon recognizing that the user has selecteddestination PC registration 601, the CPU 180 displays a destination PCregistration window 610. On the destination PC registration window 610,the CPU 180 displays a choice between automatic registration 611 ofautomatically registering a destination PC and manual registration 612of manually registering a destination PC.

When the user selects automatic registration 611, the CPU 180 displays adestination PC registration (automatic) window 620 on the display unit135. The window 620 displays a choice between “do not check at time ofregistration” 621 and “check at time of registration” 622. Uponrecognizing that the user has selected “do not check at time ofregistration” 621 on the window 620, the CPU 180 stores, in the EPROM95, information indicating that the CPU 180 does not check the user whenautomatically registering a destination PC according to the procedure tobe described later. In contrast, upon recognizing that the user hasselected “check at time of registration” 622, the CPU 180 stores, in theEPROM 95, information indicating that the CPU 180 checks the user whenautomatically registering a destination PC according to the procedure tobe described later.

The CPU 180 displays a destination PC designation window 630 whenrecognizing that the user has selected manual registration 612 on thedestination PC registration window 610. The CPU 180 acquires the namesof PCs connected to the USB interface unit 140 or the network interfaceunit 160 and displays them as choices. When the CPU 180 recognizes thata destination PC is designated on the destination PC designation window630, a registration completion message window 640 indicates that thedesignated destination PC is stored as the destination PC name 470 ofthe log-in management information. This information is stored in theEPROM 95. That is, as shown in FIG. 4, “PC2” is registered as adestination PC of the user, whose log-in name is “BBB” from the list ofPC names on the destination PC designation window 630.

<Explanation of Scanned Image Storage Processing>

The scanned image received via the scanner I/F unit 10 is temporarilystored in the input buffer. At this time, when the image data ismonochrome data, one byte is processed per pixel. When the image data iscolor data, 3-byte multivalued data is processed per pixel. In thiscase, the input buffer need not store data corresponding to one pagealtogether, and may store an amount of data corresponding to eachprocessing performed next by the scanner image processing unit 20. Uponperforming binarization or image rotation, the scanner image processingunit 20 performs encode processing by JBIG 60 when the image data ismonochrome data, and by JPEG 50 when the image data is color data. Theresultant data is stored in the main memory 100.

In this embodiment, when performing pull scan and pseudo push scan,since the PC 103 is in charge of performing most of image processing,the scanner image processing unit 20 does not perform image rotation orimage encode processing, and stores the scanned image in the main memory100 without any change. Note that the scanned image may be stored in theHDD 181 or the like depending on the hardware arrangement.

An image data transmission function will be described next.

The CPU 180 executes a control program expanded in the main memory 100to implement a protocol and transmission specifications. Morespecifically, the CPU 180 performs encoding, addition of a packetheader, and the like for image data stored in the main memory 100, andtransmits the resultant image data to an information device, forexample, the PC 103 on the network via the third bus 85 and the LANC160. Note that as this control program, a program installed in the HDD181 may be expanded in the main memory 100, and the CPU 180 may executethe control program.

<Destination PC Registration Procedure>

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a procedure for destination PCregistration processing in the multi-function peripheral 101 accordingto this embodiment. A program for the execution of this processing isexpanded from the HDD 181 into the main memory 100 and executed underthe control of the CPU 180.

First of all, in step 8701, the CPU 180 determines whether the user hasexecuted log-in operation with the operation unit 200 and has beenauthenticated as a result of the log-in operation. If YES in step 8701,the process advances to step 8702. If the user has not executed log-inoperation or has not been authenticated after the execution of log-inoperation, the CPU 180 performs the processing in step 8701. In step8702, the CPU 180 determines whether the log-in user has operated theoperation unit 200 to select destination PC name registrationprocessing. If the user has selected PC registration processing, the CPU180 causes the display control unit 310 to display the destination PCregistration window 610, and performs the processing in step 8703. Ifthe user has not selected destination PC name registration processing,the process advances to step 8704. Referring to the case shown in FIG.6, if the user has selected destination PC registration 601 on thelog-in management information registration window 600, the CPU 180displays the destination PC registration window 610 in step 8703.

In step S703, the CPU 180 determines which one of automatic registrationand manual registration the user has selected on the destination PCregistration window 610. If the user has selected automaticregistration, the display control unit 310 displays the checking/settingwindow 620 at the time of automatic destination PC registration, anddisplays the choices 621 and 622 between checking the contents to beregistered and not checking them at the time of automatic registration.Upon recognizing the selection by the user, the CPU 180 stores the setcontents in the EPROM 95. The process then advances to step S704. If theuser has selected manual registration on the destination PC registrationwindow 610, the process advances to step S708 to cause the displaycontrol unit 310 to display the destination PC designation window 630.

Referring to FIG. 6, if the user has selected automatic registration 611on the destination PC registration window 610, the CPU 180 displays thedestination PC registration (automatic) window 620. In this case, theCPU 180 displays a choice between “do not check at time of registration”621 and “check at time of registration” 622. If the user has selectedmanual registration 612 on the destination PC registration window 610,the CPU 180 displays the destination PC designation window 630.

The process then advances to step S709, the CPU 180 determines whetherthe user has selected a PC from the PC choices displayed in step S708.Upon recognition of selection, the CPU 180 acquires the selected PCname. The process then advances to step S710 to register the selected PCname in association with the log-in user name. In contrast, uponrecognition of cancellation of selection by the user in step S709, theCPU 180 performs the processing in step S711.

If the user has selected automatic registration in step S704, the CPU180 determines whether it has received a job from the PC 103 via the USBinterface unit 140 or the network interface unit 160. Note that thereception of a pseudo push scan job is also determined as the receptionof a job from the PC 103. If the CPU 180 determines that it has receiveda job from the PC 103, the process advances to step S705. If the CPU 180determines that it has received no job from the PC 103, the processadvances to step S711. In step S705, the CPU 180 refers to the EPROM 95to determine whether destination PC registration set in step S703 isautomatic registration setting or manual registration setting. If theCPU 180 determines automatic registration setting, the process advancesto step S706 to acquire the PC name in the job received from the PC. Ifthe CPU 180 determines manual registration setting, the process advancesto step S711. The process then advances to step S706, in which the CPU180 refers to the EPROM 95. If the setting in step S703 is “check thecontents to be registered at the time of automatic registration”, theprocess advances to step S707. If the setting in step S703 is “do notcheck the contents to be registered at the time of automaticregistration”, the process advances to step S710. In step S707, the CPU180 causes the display control unit 310 to display destination PCregistration contents (the log-in name and the PC name acquired in stepS705) and a choice between registering and not registering. If the CPU180 recognizes that the user has selected “registering”, the processadvances to step S710, in which the CPU 180 stores the PC name acquiredin step S706 in association with the log-in name and password of thelog-in management information stored in the EPROM 95 which correspond tothe user who is currently logging in. The process then advances to stepS711. Referring to FIG. 4, the CPU 180 stores the PC name in the log-inmanagement information as a destination PC name 470 of the log-in user.Note that if the CPU 180 recognizes in step S707 that the user hasselected “not registering”, the process advances to step S711.

In step S711, the CPU 180 determines whether the user has logged out. Ifthe user has logged out, the process advances to step S701. If the userhas not logged out, the process advances to step S702.

In this manner, the log-in user can manually or automatically register adestination PC name as log-in management information in association withthe user name of the log-in user.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining a job execution processingprocedure for automatic log-in/log-out processing in the multi-functionperipheral 101 according to this embodiment. A program for the executionof this processing is expanded from the HDD 181 into the main memory 100and executed under the control of the CPU 180.

First of all, the CPU 180 determines in step S801 whether themulti-function peripheral 101 is in the log-out state. If themulti-function peripheral 101 is in the log-out state, the processadvances to step S802. If the multi-function peripheral 101 is not inthe log-out state (log-in), the process advances to step S801. In stepS802, the CPU 180 determines whether it has received a job from the PC103 via the USB interface unit 140 or the network interface unit 160.This job is, for example, a pull scan job or a print job. Pseudo pullscan job is also determined as a job from the PC. If the CPU 180determines that it has received a job from the PC, the process advancesto step S803. If the CPU 180 determines that it has received no job fromthe PC 103, the process advances to step S801. In step S803, the CPU 180determines whether the job received in step S802 notifies it of a log-inname and a password. If the CPU 180 determines that the job notifies itof a log-in name and a password, the process advances to step S801 toexecute the job in a process operated in parallel to this processing.

If the CPU 180 determines in step S803 that the job does not notify itof a log-in name and a password, the process advances to step S804. Inthis case, the CPU 180 acquires the PC name in the job received from thePC 103, and causes the destination PC name/log-in name conversion unit340 to determine from the log-in management information in FIG. 4whether there are a corresponding log-in name and password. If thecorresponding log-in name and password are registered in the log-inmanagement information, the process advances to step S805. If thecorresponding log-in name and password are not registered in the log-inmanagement information, the process advances to the processing in stepS801, in which the CPU 180 does not perform log-in processing. In thecase shown in FIG. 4, if, for example, the PC name (PC identificationinformation) is “PC2”, the log-in name “BBB” and the password “5678” areregistered in correspondence with “PC2”.

In step S805, the CPU 180 causes the log-in/log-out unit 320 to performlog-in authentication by using the corresponding log-in name andpassword determined by the destination PC name/log-in name conversionunit 340 in step S804. After this log-in authentication, the CPU 180causes the display control unit 310 to display a received job executionwindow, and performs the processing in step S806. In step S806, the CPU180 acquires counts (the scan count 430 and the copy count 450) andcounter limit information (the scan count limit 440 and the copy countlimit 460) of the log-in user from the log-in management information.When the received job is processed by one page, the CPU 180 determineswhether the current count exceeds the count limit. If the current countdoes not exceed the count limit, since it is possible to process onepage, the process advances to step S807. If the current count exceedsthe count limit, the process advances to step S810 to stop the job andexecute automatic log-out operation.

In step S807, the CPU 180 processes the received job for one page, andthe process advances to step S808. In step S808, the CPU 180 counts upthe scan count 430 and/or the copy count 450 of the log-in user in thelog-in management information with respect to one page of the jobexecuted in step S807. The process then advances to step S809. In thiscase, for example, in the execution of a copy job, the CPU 180 counts upthe scan count 430 and the copy count 450. In the execution of a printjob, the CPU 180 counts up only the copy count 450. In step S809, theCPU 180 determines whether there is any page for which the processingshould be executed. If there is such a page, the CPU 180 performs theprocessing in step S806. If there is no page for which the processingshould be executed, the CPU 180 finishes the job and performs theprocessing in step S810. In step S810, the CPU 180 causes thelog-in/log-out unit 320 to set the multi-function peripheral 101 in thelog-out state. The process then advances to step S801.

As has been described above, upon receiving a job from a PC in thelog-out state, the CPU acquires a PC name in a received job anddetermines whether a log-in name and password corresponding to the PCname are registered in log-in management information. If a correspondinglog-in name and password are registered, the CPU performs log-inauthentication for the user who is to execute the job from the PC, andcan execute the job upon automatically executing log-in processing. Inaddition, the CPU can perform control to allow the authenticated user toexecute a job within the ranges of scan count limit and copy count limitset for the user.

Although this embodiment uses the network (TCP/IP) and USB as acommunication configuration, it is obviously possible to apply similarprocessing to any type of communication configuration.

In this embodiment, the window contents shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 displayedon the display unit 135 of the multi-function peripheral 101 each aremerely an example, and it is obviously possible to apply the presentinvention to other expressions.

Other Embodiments

Aspects of the present invention can also be realized by a computer of asystem or apparatus (or devices such as a CPU or MPU) that reads out andexecutes a program recorded on a memory device to perform the functionsof the above-described embodiment(s), and by a method, the steps ofwhich are performed by a computer of a system or apparatus by, forexample, reading out and executing a program recorded on a memory deviceto perform the functions of the above-described embodiment(s). For thispurpose, the program is provided to the computer for example via anetwork or from a recording medium of various types serving as thememory device (for example, computer-readable medium).

While the present invention has been described with reference toexemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is notlimited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of thefollowing claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as toencompass all such modifications and equivalent structures andfunctions.

This application claims the benefit of Japanese Patent Application No.2011-138891, filed Jun. 22, 2011, which is hereby incorporated byreference herein in its entirety.

What is claimed is:
 1. An image processing apparatus capable ofconnecting to an information processing apparatus via a communicationunit, the apparatus comprising: a registration unit configured toregister identification information of the information processingapparatus in association with authentication information forauthenticating a user; a determination unit configured to acquire, uponreception of a job from the information processing apparatus via thecommunication unit, the identification information of the informationprocessing apparatus which has transmitted the job, and determinewhether or not the acquired identification information is registered inthe registration unit; a log-in control unit configured to shift theimage processing apparatus into a log-in state in which the user can usethe image processing apparatus by authenticating the user with theauthentication information registered in association with theidentification information, in a case where the determination unitdetermines that the identification information is registered; and a jobexecution unit configured to execute the job in a case where the log-incontrol unit shifts the image processing apparatus into the log-instate.
 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the registrationunit registers the identification information of the informationprocessing apparatus by displaying a list of a plurality of informationprocessing apparatuses and allowing the user to select and register oneof the plurality of information processing apparatuses from the list orby using the identification information which is included in the jobreceived from the information processing apparatus.
 3. The apparatusaccording to claim 1, further comprising a generation unit configured togenerate log-in management information by associating the identificationinformation of the information processing apparatus with theauthentication information for authenticating the user, wherein theregistration unit registers the log-in management information generatedby the generation unit, wherein the log-in management informationincludes limit information which limits a number of times of executionof a job in association with the authentication information, and whereinthe job execution unit executes the job within the limit information. 4.The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein in the log-in managementinformation, the number of times of execution of the job is stored inassociation with the authentication information of the user, and the jobexecution unit updates the number of times of execution of the job in acase where the job is executed.
 5. The apparatus according to claim 1,further comprising a log-out control unit configured to shift the imageprocessing apparatus into a log-out state in which the user cannot usethe image processing apparatus in a case where the job execution unitcompletes executing the job.
 6. A control method of controlling an imageprocessing apparatus capable of connecting to an information processingapparatus via a communication unit, the method comprising: registeringidentification information of the information processing apparatus inassociation with authentication information for authenticating a user;acquiring, upon reception of a job from the information processingapparatus via the communication unit, the identification information ofthe information processing apparatus which has transmitted the job anddetermining whether or not the acquired identification information isregistered; shifting the image processing apparatus into a log-in statein which the user can use the image processing apparatus byauthenticating the user with the authentication information registeredin association with the identification information, in a case where itis determined that the identification information is registered; andexecuting the job in a case where the image processing apparatus isshifted into the log-in state.
 7. A non-transitory computer-readablestorage medium storing a program for causing a computer to execute acontrol method of controlling an image processing apparatus capable ofconnecting to an information processing apparatus via a communicationunit, the method comprising: registering identification information ofthe information processing apparatus in association with authenticationinformation for authenticating a user; acquiring, upon reception of ajob from the information processing apparatus via the communicationunit, the identification information of the information processingapparatus which has transmitted the job and determining whether or notthe acquired identification information is registered; shifting theimage processing apparatus into a log-in state in which the user can usethe image processing apparatus by authenticating the user with theauthentication information registered in association with theidentification information, in a case where it is determined that theidentification information is registered; and executing the job in acase where the image processing apparatus is shifted into the log-instate.